DALLAS -- Georgia Tech freshman Chris Bosh, the Atlantic Coast Conference rookie of the year, is submitting his name for the NBA draft.

The 6-foot-10 forward made the announcement Friday at his high school, Dallas Lincoln. Wearing a tan suit and a weary smile, Bosh was flanked by his parents, Noel and Freida Bosh, Georgia Tech coach Paul Hewitt and his high school coach, Leonard Bishop.

"I come before you today ready to pursue my lifelong dream,'' Bosh said during the news conference. "It is with great excitement and a commitment to the hard work that lies ahead that I am making myself eligible for the 2003 NBA draft.''

Bosh has not signed with an agent but said, "I intend to prepare myself with the expectation that I will begin my professional career this summer.''

Expected to be a lottery pick in the June 26 draft, Bosh led Georgia Tech with 15.6 points and 9.0 rebounds per game, and topped the ACC with a 56.0 shooting percentage and 2.16 blocked shots per game.

Scouts and draft analysts laud Bosh for his ability to play facing the basket or down in the post, his quick leaping ability and strong defensive presence. He also shot 49 percent from 3-point range.

But most scouts also agree that he'll probably need to add weight once he's in the NBA -- Bosh carries only 210 pounds on his 6-10 frame.

Hewitt was sad to see the centerpiece of his rebuilding program leave, but said he endorsed the move after polling several NBA sources about Bosh's draft status.

"My only advice to him was that if he was going to do this, he should do it with the idea that he was going to go as high as possible,'' Hewitt said. "You hope everything that happens to him in the process is positive.''

Bosh said he made the decision to declare for the draft after consulting with his parents several times over the past month.

"I don't think anyone should step into a situation like this blind,'' Bosh said. "It was a difficult decision for me because I really enjoyed myself at Georgia Tech. But I think this is the best thing for me.''

Bosh's departure leaves Georgia Tech extremely thin in the frontcourt. Ed Nelson, the 2002 ACC rookie of the year, has received a release to transfer from Georgia Tech. His playing time dwindled after the arrival of Bosh.

Tech finished last season with a 16-15 record, advancing to the quarterfinals of the National Invitation Tournament before losing to Texas Tech. The Yellow Jackets return 11 lettermen next year and add Arizona transfer Will Bynum.

"You always have backup plans,'' Hewitt said. "We'll continue to be successful. We feel we have a strong team coming back.''

As a high school senior at Dallas Lincoln, Bosh led Dallas Lincoln to a 40-0 record, a Class 4A state title and a mythical national championship. Bosh scored 21 points, had 11 rebounds and blocked seven shots in the title-clinching win.

Several of his teammates from that squad, including younger brother Joel, attended the news conference. As the conference came to a close, Bosh wiped sweat from his brow, and his beaming mother planted a kiss on his forehead.

"Isn't this exciting?'' Freida Bosh said. "I've just been telling him to make a decision and go for it.''